Sexual orientation, use of drugs and risk perception among HIV-positive men in São Paulo, Brazil

Abstract

The aim of this cross-sectional study, carried out among 250 HIV-positive (HIV+) men who have sex with women, was to describe their risk perception before learning of their HIV+ status and their sexual and drug use behaviour. Of the 250 men, 62.0% were heterosexuals and 38.0% were bisexuals. They most often reported becoming infected through unprotected sex (24.5%) and injecting drug use (11.0%). They were usually tested because they became ill (42.2%). Condom use with women in all episodes of sexual intercourse before HIV+ diagnosis was reported by 22.6% of heterosexuals and 34.7% of bisexuals ( P < 0.05). With respect to drug use, 58.0% reported the use of drugs at some period in their lifetime. A higher proportion of individuals who had used drugs perceived themselves at risk ( P < 0.05). Findings showed that most HIV+ men who have sex with women, regardless of sexual orientation or injecting drug use, did not use condoms and did not perceive themselves at risk before learning of their HIV+ status, and only undergo testing due to illness. The implications for heterosexual transmission of HIV are discussed.